The BBC is reportedly considering selling Australian-based travel guidebooks publisher Lonely Planet to an American billionaire.

Brad Kelley, who made his fortune selling discount cigarettes, is understood to be in talks with BBC Worldwide to buy a controlling stake in Lonely Planet, the Skift travel news website reported. A deal could be announced as early next week.

BBC Worldwide, the British broadcaster’s commercial arm, bought 75 per cent of Lonely Planet from its Australian founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler in 2007, before acquiring the rest of the company in 2011.

A spokesman for BBC Worldwide said: “We have been exploring strategic options for Lonely Planet for some time now but no deal has been done and we are not going to comment on speculation about its future."

BBC Worldwide reported in July 2012 that it had written down the value of Lonely Planet by almost £50 million since its original purchase, valuing its 100 per cent stake at £85 million.

Lonely Planet’s headquarters remains in Melbourne, with major offices also located in London and Oakland, California.

According to the Lonely Planet’s website, the Wheelers rejected a number of offers for the company before the sale to the BBC but decided to hold out until “they found a partner whom they trusted to remain true to Lonely Planet’s principles".